Is Acai Berry Can Reduce Weight Loss?

The acai berry diet is the latest and the most popular diets these days. The relatively unknown acai berries have suddenly gained a lot of importance and popularity due to the claimed weight loss by following the acai berry diet. These berries, although native to South and Central America, are available in several other parts of the world in the form of dried fruits, juices, powders and pills. Here we will take a detailed look as to how to use acai berry for weight loss.

Acai Berry and Weight Loss

Acai berries are small purple colored berries which appear similar to blueberries; but, have stark different properties than blueberries. Acai berries contain several elements and nutrients that help in promoting weight loss. One of the best known properties of this berry is that it contains powerful and useful antioxidants that prevent cell damage. Antioxidants also help in prevention of oxidative stress which leads to a faster fat loss. Secondly, acai berries contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which are not produced in the body naturally. These fatty acids help in boosting metabolism. If you are aware, you might know that a healthy and faster metabolism helps in reducing weight quickly. It is because of the presence of the antioxidants and these fatty acids, that acai berries help in weight loss.

You must have also heard about the acai cleanse in which the acai berry diet and colon cleanse is carried out at the same time. This is one of the most useful combination which helps in quick weight loss. Acai berries naturally contain fiber which help in detoxification and cleansing. Acai berry cleanse aids in detoxification, i.e., complete removal of wastes from the body. This leads to increased amount of fat loss. This diet also helps in having a healthy and younger looking skin, increases immunity and cleansed body.

How to Use Acai Berry for Weight Loss

There is no such food in the world that can individually aid in losing weight. Therefore, although there are several benefits associated with acai berries, one should note that having these berries alone do not help in weight loss. You need to follow a diet and exercise regime along with it. These berries boost weight loss, but are not solely responsible for it. For colon cleanse, you need to include acai berries in your daily diet regularly. These can be taken in any form according to your preference or availability in the market. At the same time, you need to include high fiber natural foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc. for a natural and healthy colon cleanse. Similarly, you need to exclude all the unhealthy foods (fatty, fried, processed, sweet and salty) from the diet. You should also follow an exercise plan of cardiovascular or aerobic exercises at the same time. According to most of the acai berry diet reviews, following this diet plan can definitely help you lose weight quickly.

Although certain properties found in acai berries definitely aid in losing weight, you should also note that there are side effects of following a fad diet for a long time. It is wise to consult the doctor before following this diet; or you should rather, opt for natural weight loss methods.

Is The Acai Berry Diet Safe?

 

Most of us haven't heard of the acai berry, have we? Till recently, when Oprah Winfrey spoke about it as a super food. So, what is a acai berry? The acai berry is black-purple berry and is the typical round in shape. Its size is small, as we see in the image on the right. It is the fruit of the acai palm. It is similar to grapes but has less pulp and is more perishable. If not processed and frozen, it can perish in 24 hours or maybe even less. Acai berry juice is said to have a lot of health benefits. This acai palm is native or common to South and Central America. After this diet gained popularity, came the acai berry diet pills, which are even more famous today. There are a lot of ways in which we can benefit from acai berry. Let's find out!
                                                                                                       
What is an Acai Berry Diet?
Before we proceed to know if acai berry diet safe, it is very important to know what exactly is the acai berry diet. The acai berry diet is not a diet as such. Surprised? Well yes, the acai berry diet is a general term given to acai berry supplements that are to be taken along with a well-balanced healthy diet. It is also known with different names such as acai berry colon cleanse diet, etc. The reason why this diet is so encouraged by the people is solely because of the acai berry benefits.

One of the main acai berry health benefits is that it improves the digestive system. The acai berry juice is said to cleanse and detoxify the overall human body. The reason why the acai berry diet is so recommended is because it helps to curb hunger even. However, you must remember to take acai berry as a supplement and not an entire meal. If you do, this might lead to complications. The acai berry cleanse diet includes the acai berry juice, which helps in detoxing the body to a large extent.

With so much popularity for a diet, questions regarding its safety are surely going to arise, aren't they? So, is the acai berry diet safe? Well, to answer your question in one word, yes, the acai berry diet is safe. These berries are very rich in flavonoids and even anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that kill free radicals in the body. The acai berry diet reviews tell us that while the acai berry diet is safe, it must not be taken as an entire meal and should always be considered as a supplement. The berries also help in guarding the different body cells. Another thing you need to keep in mind according to the acai cleanse reviews, is to include fiber in your diet. This tells us that starting a acai berry diet spontaneously isn't going to help. You need to plan out you diet too. However, my personal suggestion would be to consult a health care dietitian or physician.

Now we know what an acai berry diet is, and also if it's safe, but is it safe for everyone? Today, a lot of mothers are concerned with the acai berry diet. Is the acai berry diet safe for teenagers?, Is acai berry diet safe for breastfeeding mothers? The questions are many. The answer to the first question is yes. Teenagers in the world today live a lot on caffeine and aerated drinks. At such times, super foods like acai berries make up for the nutrition needed. The answer to the second question is yet not confirmed. There are no proven studies that state that acai berry diet is safe for breastfeeding women. So, it is better you stay away.

Now, is the acai berry safe to an extent that we can blindly start with it? Well, the studies for the entire nutrition and its effects on the body are still going on. Though no acai berry side effects have yet come out of it, they say the studies aren't complete yet. Till then, I think it is perfectly fine if we start with the diet but compulsorily after consultation for a health care dietitian. Another point I would like to make here is the price. Acai berry supplements and pills don't come cheap, so be ready to shell out some money.

You Might Want to Consider!

Recent years have seen obesity rates skyrocket worldwide
and finding obesity cures seems to be a topic growing in popularity. Without getting too technical, the medical term for obesity is defined as a state of being more than twenty percent above "normal" weight, or having a body-fat percentage greater than thirty percent for women and twenty-five percent for men. Another measurement of obesity is having a body mass index greater than 30. Like many conditions however, obesity is treatable and in most cases, curable.Obesity and being overweight poses a major risk for serious diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease as well as certain forms of cancer. The health consequences range from increased risk of premature death, to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life.
Of special concern is the increasing prevalence of child obesity and the non-fatal, but debilitating health problems associated with obesity. These include: respiratory difficulties, chronic musculoskeletal problems, skin problems and infertility.
So what has caused obesity to get our of hand? Simply put, Increased food consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats, combined with reduced physical activity, have led to obesity rates that have risen three-fold or more since 1980 in some areas of the world. Other causes of obesity include, genetic, psychological and hereditary (family influence)
The truth is, although the issues differ slightly where men, women and children are concerned, in a nut-shell, the main problem boils down to too much of the wrong foods and too little physical activity. Like many things in life, there is no easy way out.
You cannot simply take a pill and expect to wake up thin the next morning. In order to cure obesity a number of factors need to be taken into consideration and for an individual to be effectively treated, the root cause would first need to be determined.
When looking for obesity cures, the main objective would obviously be to lose weight and keep it off. This, of course, is easier said than done. With so many conflicting information sources out there and with so many companies producing "miracle" obesity cures, it's easy to loose the plot.
Dietitians the world over will agree however, that: fad diets, starvation diets, diets that exclude whole good groups such as the Atkins Diet (which restrict carbohydrates to practically zero), as well as diet pills and products, just don't work and these are not miracle obesity cures.
The reality of the matter is that the only real obesity cures consist of good old fashion exercise and healthy eating. Eating the right foods such as fruits and veg and nuts and cutting out the bad fatty stuff will mean that half the battle is won. Being active and getting your blood pumping is the other component of a successful weight loss program.
For the more severely affected and morbidly obese, there are other more surgical methods available such as gastric bypass surgery. A doctor would be able to recommend this surgery if the individuals weight posed more of threat than the threat of actually surgery itself.

Childhood ObesaityI Can It Impact Life Insurance Rate In The Future?

Obesity among America's youth is a growing epidemic with long-term ramifications for both the health and financial futures of those affected.
An estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are considered obese, according to the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the last year for which statistics are available. That is about triple the rate from just one generation ago.
Obesity in children and adolescents makes these youths at risk for health problems that were once associated with older individuals. According to the CDC, obese children and adolescents are more likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.
Experts say it is those risk factors that will have the most lasting impact on an individual's ability to obtain life insurance as they mature.
"There are many things that commonly walk hand in hand with obesity - from problems being physically active and wear and tear on joints, to even more worrisome problems like diabetes," says Dr. Ann Hoven, DBIM CLU, chief medical director for The Hartford's Wealth Management Division.
"Lack of physical activity affects not only one's day to day life but is also a risk factor for developing heart disease and is increasingly being looked at as a risk for some cancers such as breast cancer," she continued.
When it comes to individually underwritten life insurance policies the premium would be affected by the degree of obesity to reflect the additional risk it poses, she says.
Roger Palmer, vice president of analysis for Resource Insurance Consultants in Omaha, Neb., agrees.
"Obesity in childhood is a precursor to what you have as an adult," Palmer says. It is those health maladies that can have a dramatic impact on what an individual ultimately pays for life insurance.
According to the results of one study cited by the CDC, about 80 percent of children who were considered overweight between the ages of 10 to 15 were considered obese adults at the age of 25.
Palmer explained the underwriting process is becoming more fine-tuned. Someone deemed "average" today and who would be considered a standard risk likely will miss out on some of the best rates, which will be reserved for individuals who are in superior shape and health, or classified as preferred or super-preferred.
Add on the pounds and the associated health disorders and that classification moves to substandard and the cost climbs. An individual in a substandard classification with a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or heart disease potentially can pay as much as three times the amount the same aged individual in a healthier class will pay.
Palmer says in the past underwriters did not look too deeply into the health of an individual under the age of 40 when writing a policy. The trend today, in part due to the growing obesity epidemic, is bringing that benchmark much lower.
"Underwriting is starting to get much stricter," Palmer says.
If you would like to learn more about your child's body mass index, the CDC provides a BMI calculator for children and teens.
The earlier an individual learns how to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle -- or manages to get a weight problem under control - will have a positive impact on his or her future both physically and financially.
"Whatever you're able to do within your physical capacity, exercise, eating correctly, is always a benefit to you," says Roger Palmer, vice president of risk analysis for Resource Insurance Consultants in Omaha, Neb.
A healthy weight early in life contributes to better rates for life insurance as the individual ages. Options for medical intervention for weightless in adolescents remains limited.
The range most insurers begin to consider a bariatric procedure for a youth is between 16 and 18. It is more common to find coverage for supervised weight management programs and counseling.
Individuals who are overweight at any age and manage to lose that weight would benefit from seeking reclassification on their life insurance policy or having a new police underwritten, Palmer says.
Hoven agrees healthy living is always the better option. However, tools such as approved weight-loss medications or bariatric surgery can be helpful in reducing an individual's weight and health risks and their insurance premiums.
"If a person has used approved medications for weight loss or has had bariatric surgery and has had a period of time with weight stability after the loss, a more favorable premium would be common," Hoven says.

This article was originally published at Life Quotes, Inc
Life Quotes provides access to comparative quotes for auto, life, health and business insurance quotes so that busy consumers and business owners can save time and money. Life Quotes is dedicated to providing impartial insurance information.You can learn more in dealing this matter through this link.

Eat Stop Eat Diet Program Saves Time And Money

By Darren Letourneau

This past summer I used the Eat Stop Eat diet program that I found through a fitness forum. Many people in the forum that were getting results were using some type of fasting in their diet. My first though was that it did not sound healthy. I was under the impression that I had to be eating every 3 hours or my body would go in to starvation mode. I got this in my head from another diet program that I previously used. Sometimes it is hard to know what to believe. I desperately wanted to lose weight and it sounded like an easy program to follow. I had nothing to lose so I gave it a try.
The whole philosophy of the eat stop eat program is to do a 24 hour fast for one or two times a week. How much simpler can you get? Most other diets will require you to eat smaller meals five times a day or eat the exact foods that they tell you. Some of these other diets get so complicated that people give up before they even start them.
Foods that I ate on the Eat Stop Eat Program
The eat stop eat program does not restrict what you eat, just during your fasting. Eat as you normally would. I had many foods that I probably would not be allowed to eat on other diets. I had hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers, ice cream and other goodies as well. I was not stuffing my face with them. You are allowed them once in a while in moderation. The program does not require you to count your calories but I did count mine. I just wanted to make sure I was not eating more than I should if I wanted to maintain my weight.
During the 24 hour fasts I only drank water, tea, black coffee and any 0 calorie diet sodas. I also chewed some sugar-free gum when I felt like I wanted to eat.
Eat Stop Eat Program Benefits
I did not have to eat for two full days a week. Eating and preparing food takes up time. Usually when you eat you have to stop what you are doing to make the food and then eat it. Following that you usually get tired since your body is using more energy to break down and use what you just ate. Without eating your body just stays the same and you gain all that extra time to stay focused on your tasks. This is great if you are working on projects or studying.
My grocery bills were less because of the meals I was cutting out. If I usually ate out at restaurants frequently I would have saved even more money following the program. At the least you would probably save ten dollars a week. What other diets can say they save you money? Most of them require you to buy expensive health foods.
If you are healthy and looking for a simple diet that you can follow for the long haul then this may work for you.

My Transformation blog has my Eat Stop Eat  program goes into more detail about how I used the program.

Wrap Yourselve For Slimming

These easy readily available ingredients applied over the years traditionally to tighten and tone the skin and help stimulate the body to rid itself of trapped toxins, excess fat and excessive trapped lymph fluids.This detoxification reduces the appearance of cellulite, creates inch loss, and helps tighten and tone the skin.

Detoxifying the body through body wrapping not only creates inch loss and shrinking, it is also an excellent addition to any weight loss program. When losing weight on any reduction diet your skin can lose elasticity, start to sag and in some cases accentuate cellulite, making you appear bigger than you really are. Body wrapping can be a great boost for any reduction program.

Create body wrap formulas at home with this simple recipes. Along with the EXCEPTIONAL tips & techniques, you can keep the inches off! The ingredients in this formulas are traditionally applied to help minimize the appearance of cellulite, condition the skin, tighten the skin, eliminate toxins, eliminate trapped fluids, relieve pain, and more... This is accomplished by applying these ingredients to the skin.

Your skin is the largest eliminative and absorbing organ. It is sometimes referred to as "the second lung". It is able to absorb whatever you place on it.The medical association regularly use a patch applied to the skin to deliver medicine to the body. They have been doing it for years.

Get this electronic book instantly. Read it and start to apply this information TODAY!

Fatty Liver - Natural Cures for Fatty Liver

When looking for a natural cure for fatty liver, it is important for you to see how to cleanse the liver of fat, regenerate damaged liver cells and protect the liver from further damage.

These are some very powerful herbs and supplements that should be considered when you are looking for natural cures for fatty liver.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a well-known natural remedy for the treatment of liver disorders. The active ingredient found in the seeds is the phytochemical silymarin. Silymarin is a flavonoid that promotes regeneration of damaged liver cells and improves liver function.

Silymarin has been shown in clinical research studies to help regenerate liver cells. Many, but not all, clinical studies have proven measurable improvement in liver function tests when silymarin is given to people with alcohol-induced liver damage. Silymarin is a derivative from the milk thistle plant with few adverse reactions and has been used for centuries to treat liver ailments.

In France, Germany, Hungary and Greece, various formulations of milk thistle are used for a wide variety liver ailments. Currently in Europe, milk thistle is used as a protective and regenerative agent for liver damage due to hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, alcohol, drugs, and environmental toxins. These uses are becoming ever more popular in the United States a result of the great interest in natural cures.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in flax seeds, plant oils like flaxseed and canola oils, fish oils and cold water fish like salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have excellent liver health benefits, improves the activity of insulin, and assist many people who suffer from fatty liver disease. Moreover, Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and pain among those people who are suffering from a fatty liver condition.

Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and are superb natural food sources to protect the liver, reduce its inflammation and cure fatty liver. Ground flax seeds can be incorporated into almost any recipe. If you love your oatmeal, start adding ground flax! It will give your oatmeal a nutty, richer flavor, while increasing your fiber and Omega-3 intake.

Flaxseed oil contains significant amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as high-grade micronutrients and vitamins. Flaxseed oil is also used to help lower high levels cholesterol and balance metabolism, especially in women. Flaxseed oil is especially tasty on a green salad.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is especially beneficial for the liver because it protects against free radicals that form during the natural detox process. It is an antioxidant, meaning it protects against free radical damage. Vitamin E is also beneficial for the immune system and can help prevent fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver, which are common complications of long-term fatty liver.

Summary

These are some very powerful things to consider when choosing a natural cure for fatty liver. You can regain your health by supplementing your diet with these natural foods. Each one is excellent for cleansing, restoring and rejuvenating the liver.

The simple truth is, your liver has a remarkable power to heal. If you are suffering from fatty liver, it is especially important to start caring for your liver now--before the fatty buildup causes more damage to your liver.The Chinese are also very good  in solving this!

Obesity In America-The Growing Epidemic!

     Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people in the United States, where women are especially affected. Over one-third of women between the ages of 20 and 74 are obese, the majority of them being African American or Mexican American. With more and more pre-packaged food and less and less activity, the number of obese people in America has steadily increased since the 1960's.
But what is obesity? Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight, but that's not exactly true. An overweight person has a surplus amount of weight that includes muscle, bone, fat, and water. An obese person has a surplus of body fat. Most health professionals concur that a man is obese if he has over 25 percent body fat, and a woman is obese if she has over 30 percent. Women physiologically have more body fat than men, so that why there's a difference in percentage.
It is difficult to determine the exact percentage of body fat a person has, but estimates can be made in a number of ways. First, using a tweezer-like tool called a caliper, you can measure the thickness of skin folds on different points of your body and compare the results with standardized numbers. You can also use a small device that sends a harmless electrical current through your body and measures your body fat percentage. The most commonly used method to determine if a person is obese is to look at his/her Body Mass Index (BMI). A person with a BMI over 30 is considered to be obese, and a BMI over 40 is considered to be severely obese. It's important to remember though that BMI could be misleading in pregnant or lactating women and in muscular individuals.
With obesity, comes the increased risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, heart disease, and breast, colon, and prostate cancer. In addition, obesity has been linked to mental health conditions such as depression or feelings of shame and low self-esteem. Health experts say that even losing 10 to 15 percent of your body weight can dramatically decrease the risk of developing these serious conditions. In addition, many obese people are discriminated against and targets of insults and other verbal abuse.
A number of factors, such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics, and certain medical disorders, cause obesity, but it can be conquered. One major obstacle to being more physically active is motivation and accountability. Find a friend with similar fitness goals and begin a simple exercise program together. It takes time to see the results, but your health is worth it!

The Real Cure For Obesity For You

As many people in America probably know, obesity is a big problem already, and it is rapidly growing. America is the fattest nation in the world, and this epidemic continues to worsen every year. Because obesity is such a serious problem in this country, famous people such as first lady Michelle Obama take time out of their busy schedules in an attempt to fight the disease. It is great that obesity prevention is gaining so much attention, however, there is no number of jumping jacks performed on the white house lawn that will solve the obesity epidemic. Luckily for America, I am here to explain the proper way to get America healthy again.
It is obvious that Americans' poor eating habits have this country in an epidemic, and this can mainly be credited to the huge increase in fast food sales. Fast food is very appealing because it is cheap, tasty, fast, and requires no effort to make. I am not the first person to point out this problem, but people view it the wrong way. The fast food companies are not the ones to blame. Yes the government can force them to post nutrition facts and get rid of the "super size" option, but more and more people continue to buy fast food every year. The way to end the stronghold fast food companies have on America is simple; make cooking a mandatory class from 6th grade up until high school graduation. Yes I know this is a radical idea and may not make much sense to you at first, but hear me out. Many Americans, especially teens and younger adults, eat out a lot due to the fact they cannot cook. Once it is decided for a person to eat out the choice of spending two dollars and 14 cents at McDonalds or 10 dollars plus tip at a diner is clear. We can educate people all we want about the dangers of fast food, but at the end of the day, it is usually the only choice people can afford when eating out. It is impossible for quality eating establishments to compete with fast food prices, and it is un-American to tax fast food.
     The way to drastically lower the consumption of fast food is to have people go from dining out, and have them eat in. Mandatory cooking classes will provide students with an actual life skill, unlike most other classes taught in schools. Once students get educated on how to prepare meals at home, they can start making healthier choices without having to spend more money.
     As many people know, when trying to lose weight diet and exercise go hand in hand. A way to increase physical activity in America is to increase physical education and sports programs in America. Many politicians may feel there is not adequate funding to make this a feasible goal, but these narrow-minded simpletons are either lying or they actually are idiots. There are many ways this debt stricken country can find funding for physical education and athletics; off the top of my head I will say that all America has to do is pull its troops out of other countries which will give us more than enough funding for gym class. Once gym class is made into an everyday class with longer time, exercise in America will go up rapidly. You may be thinking, "How does gym class make kids want to join a gym when they are older?" Too many people associate exercise with weights or a treadmill. The best kind of exercise comes when you are having fun and do not realize calories are being burned. An increase in physical education from elementary school up until 12th grade will not only have kids perform physical activity once a day, but it will also provide them with a basic set of skills so that these kids can join recreational sports teams, or just want to play sports with their friends outside of school.
     This is only a brief explanation on my philosophy to expunge obesity in America, but it should enlighten people on why an increase in cooking class and physical education is the best method to fight the disease that is obesity.

What You Need To Cure Obesity

     First, let's define our terms. Dictionaries agree: obesity is excess body fat. It is not defined as a behavior. However, many people use the term obesity as short-hand for overeating or lack of exercise. But that is not its definition.
Consider this: most people can distinguish between smoking and lung cancer. One is a behavior and one is a disease. Or problem drinking of alcohol and liver disease. One is a behavior and one is a disease. Sunbathing without protection is a behavior; skin cancer is a disease.
Second, obesity - the excess accumulation of body fat - fits all the definitions of "disease." How is "disease" defined? Most dictionaries, general as well as medical, define a disease as an interruption, cessation or disorder of a bodily function, organ or system. Obesity certainly fits this definition.
All over the world, obesity has become an unstoppable epidemic. Several people diet every year of because of obesity problems. Well, I'm here to tell you that obesity is very controllable.
Many people struggle with obesity. Whether, it's from a large build, slower metabolism, or heredity, we are all capable of obesity too. The truth of the matter is obesity will probably be with some people for their entire lives.
However, obesity can be different. A small percentage of people have medical reasons for obesity. The other percentage of people simply can't stop eating all the bad stuff that leads to their obesity.
Remember seeing those people at fast food place trying to eat their burgers and feel good about it. Well, we all know that diet coke will not make up for the bad calorie intake.
Here are some basic steps to get you pointed in the right direction of a very long road to obesity recovery. Just keep in mind that it takes time and patients but it certainly will payoff in the long run. Ok! Let's get rid of obesity once and for all. Write this done so you can get you obesity plan started right now!
Stop eating those fatty foods! Burgers, fries, cake... you name it! Before you can fix your problem, you have to admit that you have one. If you feel the need to eat something, get some fresh fruit or vegetables sticks. Fruits and vegetables contain the right nutrients that your body needs for good health and energy. It is also a fact that it will actually burn some of that obesity.
Always consult with a Doctor. If you are more than 50 pounds overweight, Allow for your physician to give you some medical input on what the right diet and exercise program is for you.
If this is something that you've always struggled with and can seem to beat. You may consider surgery or personal training. There are many options so don't beat yourself up to much. Is there a deep seated, subconscious reason for your obesity or eating disorder? Only so can find this out! When you discover the reasons for your self destructive behavior, you will be better equipped to handle your obesity. Remember that it will indeed take time and patients. But you have the power to overcome obesity. Use all your resources such as friends and family for moral support as well.
In closing, beating obesity is just a matter of prevention, discipline and lots of patients. It's about forming a new healthier lifestyle that will benefit you throughout the years.

Health Fitness Articles - Obesity in Children on Rise

The trend that is being observed is that one child in three is now either overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. This ballooning of obesity in children has been alarmingly growing because with the many cutbacks in physical education and recess at American schools, and children not getting the nutritional guidance, the physical exercise that they desperately need is not being available to kids in schools where they spend most of their day time.

Obesity in children is of great concern as where wills this trend place U.S. health care in the years to come. There are very great chances that overweight adolescents are extremely likely to be obese adults. And this will result in numerous chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and several cancers and to the U. S government this will be a loss in cost of hundreds of billions in medical expenses and lost productivity.

Precautions that need to be take care to avoid this growing national health hazard, for influencing and taking necessary precautionary steps for taking care of health and weight of today's youth.

• Limiting the time of the television and computer: A study was conducted of 192 third and fourth graders, which found that those who limited in front of screen time to one hour a day, kids were measurably leaner after nine months than those who watched as much TV as they wanted. Because this gives them time for playing outside, this in turn provides for some exercise.

• Schools to maintain recess and physical education programs: The trend in schools for cutting recess and physical education programs is alarming; as fewer than half of the nation's schools offer physical education! So lobby for schools to have such programs and moreover they should allow kids to play during the recess and provide for healthy food in school.

• Encourage nutrition education: this is applicable to both at home and in school. Teaching children needs for balance diet its effects, learning about appropriate quantities and learning about the nutritional quality of foods. The teaching should be such that it focuses on teaching kids to make healthy choices for food rather than restricting foods.

• Be an active role model: to promote physical activity in children, you also should have good diet and lean figure. Also you can take active part in their health exercise and may be by playing with them give them a good health. You can go for walks, play tag, ride bikes, turn on some music and dance. Making exercises a regular part of every day routine in family will benefit the wholefamily.

How to Prevent Obesity in Childrens

Issues with Childhood Obesity

There are immense risks to children who struggle with childhood obesity. First, it greatly effects the social developmental advancement. Being obese opens children up to potential discrimination which can then lead to low self-esteem. This type of discrimination due to being overweight often lasts a lifetime, preventing advancement in many aspects of life including healthy relationship growth and academic progress. It also increases the likelihood that a child will develop severe depression as he or she develops. Secondly, obesity leads to many health risks such as early onset cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma. Almost 65% of obese children have a cardiovascular risk factor.

How can I prevent my child from becoming overweight?

The keep to preventing your child from being overweight is to limit the weight gain while not stunting growth. It is important that you never put a child on a diet. Instead, limit things such as empty calorie drinks (soda, high sugar juices) and focus on giving your children nutrient dense highly filling foods. Great food options are vegetables (High satiety, low calories) and fruits (high sugar, high calorie but nutrient rich). Again, it is important to focus on healthy choices.

It is important that we refocus on food being used as a fuel. It's OK to enjoy food, but we live in a culture that advertises food equals a happy and good time. The more the merrier! This is dangerous for impressionable children. If I ever have the misfortune of having to grab fast food, I always take a look around and see many children eating meals that are too much for even a full grown adult. Imagine the negative message this sends. So OK, once in a while you take your kids to a fast food restaurant. That's fine, but we need to be sure we are providing at least healthy portion sizes based on age. It is incredibly reckless to allow an 8 or 9 year old to eat a meal scaling in over a 1000 calories. Add to this, soda addiction and a never ending supply of high calorie snacks and you get obesity at an early age. We need to break this cycle.

How do we break the cycle?

We break this cycle like we break any cycle of bad behavior, through gaining knowledge and practicing good behavior. The first step is to educate your children. Teach your children that food is a fuel source, to grow in a healthy manner. There should be a disconnect with eating food and great pleasure as this pleasure is a trap to lure people in to seeking more pleasure through overindulgence. That can be taught through consistent modeling. This leads to the second point. As parents, it is our responsibility to model good behavior. This means eating a healthy diet consisting of high nutrient foods without empty calories drinks or junk food. A child will do as his or her parents do. You cannot hope to keep your child from becoming overweight if your child see's you eating junk food every day. The child will take of the same bad habits. Take care of yourself to take care of your children.

The importance of Physical Activity

Physical activity can replace the good feeling some children receive from foods. The same chemicals are released in the brain when one exercises. This good feeling will help perpetuate the good habit of staying physically active throughout a person's life.

Regular physical activity, in addition to making your child feel good offers additional benefits such as:

Higher Self Esteem

Strengthening the body

Reducing Stress

What are some ways we can encourage physical activity?

Life used to be so much simpler. We didn't have constant television, computers, cell phones, video games to constantly distract us. If we were bored, we had to find something to do. This usually meant that we were being physically active in some manner. Now parents have to fight the tech battle. Perhaps the parent could limit access to encourage their children to find other things to do. It is also important for the parent to take part. Take your child for a walk, or teach your child to swim. Again, as the parent does the child will do. Be the good role model.

Having a healthy view on food mixed with an active lifestyle is all that is needed for your child to live a healthy life. Remove empty calorie drinks and junk food from the home. Limit the time spent eating at high calorie, fast food restaurants. Also encourage smaller healthy portions at every meal. Additionally, encourage activity. Teach your child a sport, take them for a walk or simply teach them an active game to play. It is important to your child's health that they adapt an active lifestyle. Remember above all else, your child will live like you live. Be healthy so your children will be healthy.

The CDC site dedicated to fighting childhood obesity. This site covers obesity basics, statistics and articles to help you fight against obesity.